HKIA Faces Challenging Year in 2019/20

Supporting airport community and building for the future

(HONG KONG, 24 June 2020)  –  Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) published its Annual Report 2019/20 today for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2020, a challenging year for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). With the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the passenger volume and flight movement dropped 18.9% and 12% to 60.9 million and 377,420 respectively. Cargo volume was also hit by international trade dispute in 2019/20, registering year-on-year drop of 7.3% to 4.7 million tonnes; however, HKIA secured the status as the world’s busiest cargo airport for the 10^th consecutive year.

In response to COVID-19, the AA responded quickly to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff. The AA fully supported and facilitated all health and quarantine measures imposed by the Government as the situation evolved, which included providing dedicated areas in Terminal 1 (T1) to process passengers arriving from affected areas and assisting in the implementation of various port health measures. HKIA has stepped up cleaning schedules and deployed cutting-edge robots to thoroughly disinfect the terminal buildings and passenger facilities. Extra hand-sanitiser dispensers have been installed and we have been using public address system announcements, posters, videos and social media to disseminate related health protection messages.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not distracted the AA from the long-term vision. During the year, the Airport City development continued and significant progress on all projects was achieved. The construction of the Three-runway System (3RS) was progressing as planned, with the third runway on track to start service in 2022, and the entire 3RS project, which includes new buildings and related infrastructure, is expected to be commissioned in 2024.

As part of the 3RS project, Terminal 2 (T2) was closed for refurbishment in November 2019. When it reopens in 2024, T2 will offer a full complement of services for arriving and departing passengers. Meanwhile, to tie in seamlessly with the T2 closure, the extension to T1 was commissioned with a new aisle of 48 check-in counters and two additional baggage reclaim carousels.

During the year, the AA continued to work on a series of enhancement projects that will enrich the airport experience. In 2019/20, solid progress was made in upgrading T1 with a vibrant new look and an elevated ambience. The East Hall food court has been revamped with fresh dining concepts, adding 300 seats and bringing the total to 1,200. To create a smoother airport experience, the AA is developing a biometric system that enables passengers to check in at a smart check-in kiosk and then use their biometric features to clear multiple pre-boarding checkpoints. This service is expected to commence in 2020.

In addition, works continued on the Sky Bridge, which will link T1 and the North Satellite Concourse (NSC). During the year, prefabrication of the bridge was completed and the installation of its equipment and systems has begun. The 200-metre span, which is expected to be the world’s longest airside bridge, will make connections to the NSC fast and easy, while providing spectacular views of the apron.

On the cargo front, construction of the premium logistics centre in the South Cargo Precinct started during the year. Scheduled to open in 2023, the logistic centre will help HKIA and its business partners capture opportunities in the rapidly expanding e-commerce market. In addition, HKIA further enhanced its high-value cargo service, including animal handling service. In January 2019, HKIA and Brussels Airport, in partnership with a group of global pharmaceutical companies, pioneered the world’s first airport-to-airport pharma corridor.

To continue the development of Airport City, the AA has handed over the site of SKYCITY to the developer during the year. With cutting-edge technology and unique retail, dining and entertainment concepts, SKYCITY will offer local residents and visitors an extraordinary experience. Meanwhile, construction of SKYCITY’s first hotel will soon be completed and the hotel is expected to open in 2020/21.

The AA’s Annual Report 2019/20 with finance performance was published and can be viewed at https://www.hongkongairport.com/en/airport-authority/publications/annual-interim-reports/annual2019.